Myths and Misconceptions


MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS

One misconception about evolution is that "evolution is organisms adapting to their environment". I chose this misconception because I think the wording and terminology surrounding evolution, adaptation, and survival can lead to some confusing understandings of the topics. It is so easy to link our knowledge of adaptation with a less familiar concept of evolution, and create such a misconception. Previously, it has been believed that a giraffe spent so much time stretching its neck to reach fruits that its children would be born with longer necks. This same thought process can be applied towards many species, even humans. Although this may seem like it would make sense, individual organisms cannot evolve. Evolution occurs at the population level. Some animals may have mutations in their genome that present a phenotype of a long or a short neck. Then, based on food availability, in an area where only tall fruits are present, the giraffes with the shorter necks would likely have a harder time surviving, leading to the dominance of long-necked giraffes. Although adaptation can occur through actions, behaviors, and learning, phenotypes within a single organism cannot change to their advantage in their lifetime, this occurs across generations. Mutations create variation within populations, and the species best equipped to survive in said environment will continue to live, and reproduce similar species, carrying on the successful phenotype.


This image shows how genes change phenotypes, and different phenotypes allow animals to be better equipped for their given environment. The left giraffe has a fully red chromosome (A simplified way of showing a non mutated gene) that gives him a short neck. The right giraffe has a mutated gene (as shown by the half blue chromosome), giving him a longer neck, and an advantage to survival. Contrary to popular belief, the left giraffe's neck is not going to stretch in order to reach the apples.


Comments

  1. Kalissa MoseleySeptember 1, 2024 at 8:17 PM

    This is one of my misconceptions surrounding genetics, and the same one I chose to do for my own blog post! The comparison of adaptation being something the average person is very familiar with and applying that to the less familiar topic of evolution is very insightful. I have actually never really considered the common mistake in that light. Also, highlighting the idea of what survival really means is another excellent idea to kind of give someone a "goal" for evolution and adaptation to think about. Plus, your Giraffe drawing is really cute and a good visual representation for what you are explaining! Look forward to seeing some more of your blog posts!!

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  2. Miguel MejiaSeptember 5, 2024 at 3:54 PM

    Great image of the giraffes! It was a grand theory that the giraffe's neck could reach the high leaves to survive. But at what cost? I can't think of any disadvantages due to the long neck. Great post!

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  3. Rin BurkhartSeptember 8, 2024 at 1:45 PM

    Your image you created perfectly explains the truth behind this myth! I see this misconception a lot and I think your are absolutely correctly about people confusing the idea of adaption with evolution. Super cute drawing and insightful post!

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